Electrical system



Dec. 11 1923 1,477,465 N. W. STORER ELECTRICAL SYSTEM- Filed July 5, 1919 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 J Trolley J L %/4 v :5 I

9 1 2 s 4 i 35 round i 25 g Ii g rad/1d WITNESSES: INVENTOR Ahrman WJfO/"(f' Dec. 11, 1923.

N. W. STORER ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 5, 1919 B Wu 1 n Q r Mm Nb L Q mk WITNESSES:

I INVENTOR /V0/"ma/7 W jfo'rer ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 11,192}.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NORMAN W. STORER, OF PITESBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC 6t MANUFACTURING,COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Application filed July 5, 1919. Serial No. 308,742.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NORMAN W. Sronnn, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Electrical Systems, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to electrical systems and particularly to thermostatic devices and the location thereof with respect to translat ing devices the temperature of which .it is desired to regulate. t

One object of my invention is to provide a relatively simple and inexpensive thermostatic device which is adapted to inherently possess the same cooling characteristics as a given translating device, such as a carpropelling motor, the thermostatic device being further adapted to be readil mounted in any convenient position in the ocomotive cab, so that the operator may have a continuous visual indication of the temperature of the motors or other devices upon the locomotive.

More specifically stated,"it is an object of my invention to provide a thermostatic device comprising a hollow metallic member made of cast iron or other material having relatively low electrical conductivity, the device being connected in circuit with the car-propelling motor, for example, and be- .,ing so proportioned as to duplicate the temperature rise and fall of the motor under operating conditions;

Another object of my invention is to pro vide means whereby the thermostatic device in question may be adapted to possess the same thermal characteristics as the motor under conditions of forced ventilation, as

well as natural ventilation.

A further object of my invention is to provide temperat-ure-responsive means inserted in the hollow thermostatic device for automatically governing the operation of an electric motor driving the blower for the ventilating system, whereby the propellingmotor temperature may be maintained below a predetermined undesirable value.

Still another object of my invention is-' to provide a thermostatic device for the stated purpose, comprising a hollow bar or tube of cast iron, or the like,.and a covering means comprising perforated insulating ma.-

terial or other wrapping means having relatively poor heat-conducting characteristics. Other specific objects of my invention will become evident from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 1s a diagrammatic view of a complete electrical system embodying-my present invention;

Fig. 2 is a view, in longitudinal section, of

The car-propelling motor 1 is diagrammatically shown as comprising essentially a suitable frame or encasing member 9 having a plurality of inwardly-extending polar projections 10, around which suitable coils 11 are wound and are connected in series relation with an armature 12. One or more ventilating outlets 13 are provided in the frame, in accordance with customary practioe.

The motor is connected, through the thermostatic device 2 anda suitable accelerating resistor 14, across the supply circuit, the device 2 being preferablyconnected' on the ground side of the motor.

The thermostatic device 2 is shown upon a disproportionately large scale, for the sake of clearness, and comprises a hollow bar or tube 15 of cast iron or other material having relatively low electrical conductivity, around which a wrapper or cover 16,is placed. The wrapper 16 maybe of any suitable insulating material 01' other means having relatively poor heat-conducting characteristics, and is provided with a plurality of apertures or perforations 17. Preferably, a small airnected in direct series relation with the motor 1,'although, if desired, any other circuit. connection, whereby a current proportional to that traversing the motor also flows 6 through the member 15, may be utilized.

The cross-section of the metallic member 15 is proportionate to thecurrent rating of the motor or other translating-device with which it is associated ,'whereby the thermal 10 [characteristics of the motor and the thermostatic device are the same; that is to say, the entire thermostatic device is sodesigned that the rate of heating and cooling thereof is equal to that of the car-propelling motor when no current is traversing the circuit. It

will be appreciated that the necessary resistance and thermal capacity of the thermostatic device 2 may be readily calculated to suit any given operating conditions. The 29 function of the perforated wrapper 16 is to assist such action of the iron tube and thus to provide rates of heat dissipation and absorption that correspond to those of the motor 1.

A bracket or holder 18 is bolted, or otherwise suitably secured to the inner surface of the metallic member 15, for the purpose of holding a thermometer 19 or other temperature-indicating or responsive means. The

I thermometer 19 may be employed not only to provide a continuous visual indication of the temperature of the car-propelling motor or motors but may also be utilized to control an, electric circuit for governing the operation of the blower motor 4, as subsequently described in detail. A pipe 20 serves to effect communication between the blower apparatus'3 and the lower end of the thermostatic device.

The blower 3 may be of any suitable type and is shown as, comprising a centrifugal blower apparatus 21 having a piping connection 22-to-the motor 1 and also adapted to deliver a cooling medium through the pipe 20 to the thermostatic device 2.

It will be understood that the relative dimensions of the piping connections 20 and 22 are such thatthe rate of heat'dissipation by the thermostatic device 2 under conditions of forced ventilation will be the same as that of the car-propelling motor 1.

Consequently, my thermostatic device may be employed, without the blower apparatus 3, toprovide an indication of the temperature of the car-propelling motor or translating device, under conditions-of natural ventilation, and may also be utilized, when forced ventilation is employed for the carpropelling motor, to likewise provide a dependable indication of the temperature conditions in the motor.

The driving. motor. 4 for the blower 3 is preferably of the series type, comprising a commutator-type armature 23 that is me chanically onnected tothe blower, as by a perature conditions in previously explained.

characteristics like those of the electric shaft 24, and a series-connected field winding 25.

The switching means 5 comprises an electrically controlled switch 31 that is connected in series relation with the blower motor 4. The/actuating coil of the switch is energized from a battery 32-upon the bridging of contact'points 33 and 34' o-f the thermometer or other temperature-responsive means 19 by the mercury column thereof. Consequently, upon a predetermined rise of temperature 1n the car-propelling motor 1, which rise is duplicated in the locomotive cab by the thermostatic device 2, the contact points 33 and 34 are bridged to close the circuit of the actuating coil for the switch 31. In this way, the switch 31 is closed to set the blower motor 4 into operation, whereby a suitable volume of ventilating medium is delivered to both the car-propelllng motor 1, and the thermostatic device. The temboth the motor and the thermostatic device are thus automatically reduced to normal. Moreover, the blower motor, in the interests of economy, is

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not employed so long as the main-motor temperature is safe.

By the provision of a hand-switch 35, or the like, in a branch circuit of the blower motor 4, either natural or forced ventilation may be provided, at will, inthe illustrated system and, in either case, the thermostatic device 2 will duplicate the temperature rise and fall in the car-propelling motor 1, as

Referring to the preferred form of the invention that isshown in Fig. 3 to Fig. 9, inclusive, the illustrated structure comprises a hollow cast-iron rod or tubular member 40 around which a cover 41 of insulating material is wrapped, the cast-iron tube being of a greater diameter at the ends to provide a shallow annular air-space 42 between the metallic tube and the insulating wrapper. The purpose of this air-space is to prevent too rapid radiation of heat from the castiron tube, and the illustrated structure is thus one convenient way of proportioning the metallic member to possess thermal.

Ill motor or other translating device to be governed. v

An outer tube or wrapper 43 of insulating material provides a considerable annular space 44, the insulatingtubes 41 and 43 be-, 1 0 ing suitably spaced by means of insulating rings 45 and 46 near the respective ends of the tubes. The insulating rings 46 are secured to' the outer tube43 by means of suitable screws 47 and are positioned approximately at the ends of the inner insulat- 'ing tube 41 to provide a compact and rigid structure The outer tube 43 is preferably provided with a small number of perforations or 180 openings 43a for heat-radiating purposes, as previously mentioned in connection with Fig. 1.

The "illustrated right-hand end of the cast-iron tube may be closed, if desired,

by means of a suitable insulating plug 48 to' revent the entrance of foreign material lnto the tube. To provide a suitable mounting for the thermostatic device, a wooden base 48a is provided. and a plurality of strap or stirrupmembers 49 surround the outer insulating tube 43, the ends of these stra s being flanged and secured to the base 48a. y means of'screws 50. In this way, a compact and rigid structure is provided which may be readily mounted in tion and in any suitable place in motive cab. i

For the purpose of connecting the castthe ecoother translating device to be governed. a plurality of terminal clamps 51 encircle the .ends of the metallic tube, suitable contact ressure being applied by means ofa clampmg bolt 52, which forces the confronting ends of the ring "together. The clamping ring may'further be positioned-by means of suitable screws 52a extending through the lllig into the cast-iron tube 40.

r the sake of clearness, the complete main-circuit terminal that it shown in detail in Fig. 6 is, for thelmost part, omitted from Fig.1. In addition to the clampingring 51, the terminal comprises a longitudinally-extending strap 53 that is silversoldered to a fiat surface of the ring. A suitable wire-receiving terminal or socket 54 is clamped by bolts and washers 55, or the like, to theouter ends of the strap '53. The purpose of the, illustrated terminal constructionis to reduce the heat-radiation losses from the terminals proper and confine them to thecast-iron t'zbe itself. Since. the strap 53 is of such dimensions as to insure relatively low heat conductivity and radia:

.tion, it follows thatthe heat losses from the main-circuit terminals will be negligible, relatively. speaking.

In addition to the main-circuit terminal, the illustrated left-hand end of the thermostatic device is provided with auxiliarycircuit contact members for the purpose of controlling the blower motor that is shown in Fig. 1; The structure in question co1nprises a block of ebonized asbestos lumber, or the like, that has a central opening adapted to tightly fit over" a bushing 61, while a uitable hub is fitted within the tube 40, whereby the block 60 may be properly positioned. contact support or bent strap 63 is secured to one edge of the block 60 by means of a plurality of suitable screws64, and a wire-receiving terminal 65, together- I .with a threaded'contact terminaI 66, are

suitably bolted to the support 63.

any post motor or and a wire-receiving terminal 69, similar to the terminal 65, is secured to the support 67, through the agency of a bolt resilient contact clip or spring 71, made of"- phosphor bronze, or the like, is also held in position by the bolt 70. and thefrce end of the clip 71 is positioned in alineinent with the stationary contact terminal 66. The contact members 66 and T1. are thus adapted 'to close the circuit of the blower-controlling switch 31 (Fig. 1), similarly to the contact points 33 and 34 of the thermometer 19.

In the present instance, the temperatureresponsi've means that is located within the castiron tube 40, comprises a thermostatic element 72,.of the type having an expansible sheath or cover, although it will be understood that my invention is not restricted. to the use of this particular apparatus. One end of the thermostatic member 72 is mechanically secured to a slidable rod 72a of insulating material that extends through the cast-iron tube 40 and the bushing 61 to normally engage the contact clip 71, as-illustrated; that is to say, whenever temperature conditions in my thermostatic device are relatively low.

e other end of the thermostatic-element 72 is'supported in a recessed block or disk 73 through which a pin 74 extends for the purpose of rigidly positioning the disk 73 with respect to the cast-iron tube 40 A tirru or yoke 75, shown in detail in' Figs. 7 an 8, has a central opening 76 that fits over the illustrated left--hand end, of reduced diameter of the thermostatic element 72, the arms of the yoke being rigidly positioned by means of the pin 74. The purpose of the yoke 75 is to limit the longitudinal expansion of the .thermostatic element 72, whereby the contact. clip 71 may be forced into engagement with the stationary contact terminal 66. but further contact pressure, and expansion of the thermostatic device are prevented. 1 Y

The detail construction of the thermostatic device 72 is shown in F ig. 9 as comprising two metallic terminal members-or caps 80 and 81, having hubs of reduced diameter for suitable association with the rod 72a and the supporting disk 73,.as illustrated in Fig. 3. The device further com-s prises a body portion that includes an inner Hit] tubular member 82 for containing a suitable contact terminal 66.-, In this the stationary 31 of Fig. 1 may be closed way, the switch to start the blower motor into operation.

A pneumatic connection into The pneumatic connection between the blower and the thermostatic device illustrated in Fig. 3 may be made in any convenient manner, preferably by tapping the the outer insulating tube 4-3 near the illustrated right- .hand end thereof, whereby ventilating air is-blown througlrtheannli air space 4-} into the atmosphere from the illustrated lefthand end'o't' the device.

It will be understood that the general design and proportions of the preferred form ling motor, or other translating device with which it is associated, under conditions of either natural or forced ventilation. Furthermore, thethermostatic device may be of relatively small-dimensionsand may be connccted 'in the motor circuit in-any convenient-location in the locomotive cab or street 1 do not wish to be restricted to the specific structural details, circuit connections or arrangement of parts herein ,set forth, as various modifications thereof may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. I desire. therefore, that only such limitations shall be imposed as areindicated invthe appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1; The combination with -a translating device, of a hollow metallic member having thermal characteristics like said device and connected in circuit therewith, and means ,fOI forcing a cooling medium through said hollow member.

2. The combination with a translating device, of a hollow cast iron member having a section proportionate to the current rating of said device, and connected in series relation therewith, and means for sending a ventilating fluid through said member.

vice, and

3. The combination with a translating device, of a metallic member of relatively low electrical conductivity connected in circuit with said device and having a section proportionate to the current rating of said clenieans for simultaneously deliverin a ventilating fluid to said device and to said member.

4. The combination with an electric motor, of a hollow metallic member of rela-- tively-low electrical conductivity connected in circuit with said motor and adapted to inherently possess the same cooling. characteristics as the motor, and single means .for sending a cooling medium through said motor and said member.

5; The combination motor, of a hollow cast iron member connectedin series relation with said motor and having a section proportionate to the current rating of the motor, and a blower with an electric for delivering predetermined volumes ofrooling fluid to both said motor and said member to produce equal rates of cooling therein. -j

6. The combination with an electric motor, of a hollow-cast iron member connccted in series relation with said motor and having a sectionproportionate to the. cur rent rating of the motor, perforated insulating material surrounding said member, and a blower for forcing predetermined volumes of vcntilatinl air through both said motor and said member. I

7. The combination with a translating device, of a hollow *ast iron member having a section proportionate to the current rating of said device, and connected in series relation therewith, means for sending a ventilating fluid through said member, and temperature-resimnsive means inserted in the hollow member.

8. The combination with an electric motor, of a hollow cast iron member'conneeted in series relation with said motor and having a section proportionate to the current rating of the motor, a. blower for delivering predetermined volumes of cooling fluid to both said motor and said member to produce equal rates of cooling therein, and temperature-respective means inserted 1n the hollow member. 9. The combination with a translating device, of a-metallic member having therma eharacteristicslike said device and connected in circuit therewith, a. blower for delivering predetermined volumes of cooling fluid to both said motor andsaid member .to produce equal rates of cooling therein, and means responsive to the temperature ofsaid memher for varying the speed of said blower. 10. The combination with a translating device, of a hollow castiron member having a. section proportionate to the current rating of said device, and connected in series relation therewith, a blower for forcing predetermined volumes. of ventilating air through both said motor and said member, a motor for driving said blowerfand means responsive to the temperature of said memher for compensatingly varyingthe speed I tively low electrical conductively connected in circuit with said motor and adapted to inherently possess the same cooling characteristics as the motor, a blower forforcing predetermined volumes of ventilating air through both said motor and said member, a motor for driving said blower, temperatureindicating means inserted in said hollow member, a switch in the circuit of said blower motor, and means responsive. to the action of said temperature-indicating means for cutting said switch into or out of cirrelation therewith, and means for delivering a ventilating medium to said.'member.-

14. The combination with a translating device, of a metallic member having a section proportionate to the current. rating of said device, means for heating said member similarly to the heatin of saiddevice, and means for cooling sai member at the same rate as said device.

.15. The combination with 'a translating device, of a metallic member having a section p-ropo-rtionateto the current rating of said device, and-means for simultaneously delivering a ventilating fluid to said. deviw and to said member. I

16. The combination with an electric motor, of a hollow metallic member having a section proportionate to the current rating of the motor, and a. blower for delivering predetermined volumes of cooling fluid to both said motor and said member to produce equal rates of cooling therein.

17 The combination with a translating device of a hollow metallic member having a sectionproportionate to the current rating of said'device, means for sending a ventilating fluid through said member, and temperature-responsive means inserted in the hollow member.

18. The combination with an electric motor, of a hollow metallic member having a section proportionate to the current rating of the motor, a. blower for delivering predetermined volumes of cooling fluid to both said motor and said member to produce equal rates of cooling therein, and temperature-responsive' means inserted in. the hollow member. 7 In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 28th day of June,

' NORMAN W. STORER. 

